SIOUX FALLS, SD (April 14, 2014) – POET Biorefining – Preston has announced Chris Hanson as the plant’s new General Manager. Hanson previously worked at POET Biorefining – Preston as the Technical Manager and will now be responsible for overseeing the 46 million-gallon-per-year ethanol production facility.

“I am very excited to begin this new chapter here at POET Biorefining – Preston,” said Hanson. “Since coming to POET, I’ve truly enjoyed the opportunity to work with our team members not only here at Preston, but across the entire POET network. I am proud to be part of a great team that makes a difference in our community and the world.”

Before joining POET in 2005, Hanson held various engineering and operating management positions with US Steel in Northern Minnesota and also served eight years with the Air Force National Guard maintaining F-16 fighter jets. Hanson earned his MBA from Bethel University in St. Paul, MN and his Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota – Duluth.

About POET

POET, one of the world’s largest ethanol producers, is a leader in biorefining through its efficient, vertically integrated approach to production. The 25-year-old company has a production capacity in excess of 1.6 billion gallons of ethanol and 9 billion pounds of high-protein animal feed annually from its network of 27 production facilities. POET also operates a pilot-scale cellulosic bio-ethanol plant, which uses corn cobs, leaves, husk and some stalk as feedstock, and expects to commercialize the process in Emmetsburg, Iowa through its joint venture with DSM. For more information, visit http://www.poet.com.